2 Accountability for good decision-making

One key principle held over from Chapter 1 holds that decision-making must reflect an acceptable standard of professional competence. Thus, in child care, judges concluded that abruptly denying a parent help, and without explanation, was very poor social work practice (Re A (Children) [2010]). Professionals must investigate child protection concerns with proper care, including presenting allegations to parents (TP & KM v UK [2002]). Evidence given to courts must be full, detailed, precise and compelling, presented by a social worker with detailed knowledge of the case, with minutes of case conferences and other decision-making meetings available (X Council v B (Emergency Protection Orders) [2004]; Re X (Emergency Protection Orders) [2006]). It is unacceptable for children’s services to close a case when risks relating to children in need remained unaddressed (R (KS and AM) v Haringey LBC [2018]) or to fail to keep records of how decisions were taken to progress with an adoption placement despite a birth father’s late notification of an intention to seek revocation of a placement order (Re F [2008]).